Richardson remains a leader among owners

Posted by NBC Sports on March 22, 2010, 2:18 PM EST

As the only majority owner that played in the NFL, it’s no surprise Panthers owner Jerry Richardson displays leadership and toughness.

ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas reports Richardson made an impassioned speech for ten minutes, largely about staying united. Richardson is just over a year removed from receiving a heart transplant, but clearly is in improved health.

We’ve always admired Richardson from afar because he strongly aligns himself with the “old guard” NFL owners like the Steelers and Giants. He emphasizes the health of the league over any one team, which is an approach that has helped the NFL get where it is today.

Other owners briefly spoke on the labor issues, but the report says Richardson “clearly was taking the lead on the matter.”

JR is an outstanding guy…and businessman just like Kraft. I hope the rest of the owners give credence & respect to them. Then again I like the Lamar Hunt type owner not the Jerry Jones type owner. I’m old school.

thats bc J-Rich is a cheap son of a bitch and the other owners want to follow suit!
Look at the Panthers and their terrible track record of FA signings and contract extensions to bums (ie. JOKE Delhomme last season)

@D.R.Universal
I think that we re-signed Delhomme wasn’t the worst hting ever. It blew up in our face, yes. But it showed that Richardson had full faith in the decisions of GM Hurney and Coach Foxy. This year, after it blew up in our face…that trust has withered a little. But i’d much rather that then have an Owner-Coach relationship where they get fired ever year (Redskins, Raiders) or they get threatened ever year (Giants, Cowboys) or the Owner’s are in limbo (Rams, Dolphins) or we have to sign somebody to overwatch everyone (Browns, Dolphins). It’s great to have such a good, noble, trusting man as our owner.

D.R.Universal – you don’t know what the hell you talking about. Cheap?! The Panthers are ALWAYS near the top when it comes to payroll. Richardson is willing to spend to win. This year, no. But that is clearly due to labor issues.

“Thor says:
March 22, 2010 2:46 PM
If memory serves, he is a former player as well. So, I think if anyone can have a real opinion on labor negotiations, it would be him.”
As the very first sentence in the story says, he was the only (majority) owner to play in the league.

D.R. Universal, you’re right. JR should be more like that ass clown that owns the Redskins right ?
His big dollar free agent signings have won them how many superbowls ? Oh Yeah, I forgot, they can’t even win their division.